Mobile telephone device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a mobile telephone device ( 30 ) including a single transceiver ( 33 ) for connecting the telephone device to a mobile telephone network and a controller ( 58 ) coupled to the transceiver, the controller operative to place the mobile telephone device in either a telephone condition thereby allowing a user to selectively connect to the mobile telephone network or in response to receiving an alarm signal, an alarm condition to connect the transceiver to the mobile telephone network and thereby notify a predetermined terminal of the receipt of the alarm signal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mobile or cellular telephones. In particular,the invention relates to a communication device utilising mobilecellular networks for installation in a vehicle or other area, whichdevice may operate both as a telephone and as component of a securitysystem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communications devices which utilise mobile or cellular infrastructureinclude portable handsets for personal use and, in the case of vehicles,more powerful telephone units and associated antennas permanentlyinstalled in a vehicle. Vehicle telephone installations are typicallyarranged for hands-free use, to avoid potential distractions whenoperating the vehicle. In some instances, vehicular telephoneinstallations may merely interface a personal handset with hands-freeequipment including a microphone and speaker installed in the vehicle.

One particular use of mobile telephone networks is in the area ofsecurity, for example in vehicle security applications. One type ofvehicle security system that may be installed in a vehicle incorporatesa specially adapted telephone transceiver enabling communication withexternal facilities. The telephone transceiver is connected to asecurity control unit which coordinates the vehicle's security detectorsand response units. Upon the detection of unauthorised activity by thesensors, a signal is sent from the control unit to the internaltransceiver, whereupon a call is placed to a predetermined number, suchas the number of the owner's mobile phone, a security monitoring serviceor to the police. The call may carry data specifying the identity of thevehicle and possibly its location.

It will be realised in vehicular applications, where a security systemwith external communications facility is provided and a mobile telephoneinstallation is provided, there may well be duplication of hardware. Inparticular it will be realised that there is duplication of thetelephone transceiver, which generally accounts for around 80% of thecapital cost of a mobile telephone for example.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous for a communications device to bedevised that could be used to both make and receive calls in a telephonemode and is also adapted to provide communications as part of a securitysystem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided amobile telephone device including:

a single transceiver for connecting the mobile telephone device to amobile telephone network; and

a controller coupled to the transceiver, the controller operative toplace the mobile telephone device in either:

-   -   a telephone condition thereby allowing a user to selectively        connect to the mobile telephone network; or    -   in response to receiving an alarm signal, an alarm condition to        connect the transceiver to the mobile telephone network and        thereby notify a predetermined terminal of the receipt of the        alarm signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda mobile telephone device including:

-   -   a single transceiver for connecting the telephone device to a        mobile telephone; and    -   a controller coupled to the transceiver, the controller        operative to place the mobile telephone device in either:        -   a telephone condition thereby allowing a user to selectively            connect to the mobile telephone network; or        -   in response to receiving an alarm signal, an alarm condition            to connect the transceiver to the mobile telephone network,    -   the controller having a security subscriber identification        module for use in connection to the mobile telephone network        when the mobile telephone device is in the alarm condition and a        user subscriber identification module for use in connection to        the mobile telephone network when the mobile telephone device is        in the telephone condition.

Each subscriber identification module enables a provider of the mobiletelephone network to identify a particular account to which anytelephone call made via the network by use of the identification moduleis to be charged, the user subscriber identification module and thesecurity subscriber identification module being for identifyingdifferent accounts. Each subscriber identification module may include acomputer readable memory device, preferably comprising electroniccircuitry, the memory device having information stored thereon forpermitting identification of the associated account. Conveniently, eachidentification module may be a conventional SIM-card.

The user subscriber identification module (SIM) may be one of a pair ofsubscriber identification modules both of which identify the sameaccount, with said account being a different account from thatidentified by the security subscriber identification module. Usually,such twin-call SIM-cards are used to enable a user to charge the sameaccount for calls made from a mobile phone carried by the user and callsmade from a telephone installed in the user's vehicle, one of thetwin-call SIM-cards being located in the vehicle telephone, and theother twin-call SIM-card being located in the user's mobile telephone.In usual operation, the user can select which of the twin-call SIM-cardsto use, depending on the user's location. It is, however, a disadvantageof such a conventional system that the twin-call SIM-card in the vehiclecannot connect, via the network, to the twin-call SIM-card in the user'smobile telephone.

The user SIM-card and the security SIM-card may both be located in themobile telephone device in the form of a mobile telephone control unitfor installation in the protected area, the telephone unit including aconventional GSM transceiver module and a switch for, in use, switchingbetween connection of the GSM transceiver module to the user SIM-cardand connection of the GSM transceiver module to the security SIM-card.

The protected area may be a vehicle, wherein the switch can be arrangedto switch the mobile telephone device to the alarm condition in responseto switching off of the vehicle and to switch the mobile telephonedevice to the telephone condition in response to ignition of thevehicle.

The mobile telephone device may thus be in the form of a mobiletelephone control unit which forms part of a mobile telephone forinstallation in a motor vehicle.

The mobile telephone device may be arranged to send an alarm message tothe user's mobile telephone, using the security SIM-card, in response tothe generation of an alarm signal. It should be appreciated that theuser's mobile phone will typically operate with a twin-call SIM cardidentifying the same account as the user SIM-card in the telephonedevice. The alarm message may be a text message, such as an SMS-message,or it may be a voice call.

The security system may include a tracking device, such as a satellitetracking device or a global positioning unit, in connection with themobile telephone to provide a position signal thereto, the alarm messageincluding information representative of the position of the vehicle.

The mobile telephone in the vehicle may be substantially hidden fromview. By “hidden from view” is meant that, when a person is seated in adriver's seat of the vehicle, no major component of the mobiletelephone, such as a key-pad, is visible to the naked eye. The mobiletelephone may thus have no permanently installed keypad, or the keypadmay be operable between a hidden condition in which the keypad is hiddenfrom view, and an operative position, in which the key pad is visibleand is readily accessible to a driver of the vehicle.

The mobile telephone may, however, include a disconnectably connectableheadset comprising a microphone-and-speaker system. Instead, or inaddition, the mobile telephone may include a speaker in the form of anear-piece for location in an ear of a driver of the vehicle, theear-piece being permanently installed in the vehicle.

Thus, the mobile telephone may have no permanently installed manuallyoperable input device, such as a key-pad, for providing a dial-upfacility to the user. The mobile telephone may, however, have a dial-upsystem for permitting a user to control the telephone control unit byuse of a conventional mobile telephone, and to connect the mobiletelephone to the telephone network. The dial-up system may comprise adevice for receiving audio signals from a conventional mobile telephone,the audio signals being generated in response to the pressing of keys ona keypad of the mobile telephone, and for converting the audio signalsto electronic command signals for the mobile telephone, in accordancewith, for instance, standard protocols such as DTMF.

The mobile telephone may include a cordless keypad for interfacing witha control unit of the telephone via wireless communication signals, suchas infra-red communication signals.

The mobile telephone may include a user operable connection switch forconnecting the telephone to the network, for instance, for answering acall received via the network, or for disconnecting from the network,the connection switch being hidden from view.

The security system may be a residential security system forinstallation in a residence or other building, and the security systemmay include a portable remote control panic device for producing awireless alarm signal when activated by a user.

The invention also provides a mobile telephone for forming part of asecurity system as described above.

The invention extends to a mobile telephone for installation in avehicle such that the telephone is substantially hidden from view, asdescribed above.

The invention further extends to a vehicle which includes the securitysystem, or the mobile telephone, as described above.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided asecurity system for protection of an area, the system including:

-   -   an alarm arrangement for detecting unauthorised activity in        respect of the protected area and for generating an alarm signal        in response to detection of the unauthorised activity; and    -   a mobile telephone device connected to the alarm arrangement,        the mobile telephone device being operable in an alarm condition        to connect to a mobile telephone network and notify a        predetermined terminal of the generation of the alarm signal and        in a telephone condition to allow a user to connect to the        mobile telephone network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

-   -   FIG. 1 shows, schematically, part of a mobile telephone        installed in a vehicle, the mobile telephone being for        co-operation with an alarm arrangement installed in the vehicle        to form a security system.    -   FIG. 2 shows, schematically, a further part of the telephone and        the security system of FIG. 1;    -   FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the security system of        FIGS. 1 and 2;    -   FIG. 4 shows, schematically, a security system installed in a        building; and    -   FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a further embodiment        of a security system installed in a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generallyindicates a security system in accordance with the invention, thesecurity system 10 being installed in a motor vehicle (not shown). Thesecurity system 10 includes an alarm arrangement 12 (shown in FIG. 2)for detecting unauthorised activity such as tampering with orunauthorised entry into the vehicle.

In conventional fashion, the alarm arrangement 12 has an alarm controlunit 14 which is connected by electrical relays to a series of detectorsfor measuring a plurality of parameters which may indicate potentialtampering with the vehicle. In this example, the detectors include:vehicle door indicators 15 for detecting the status of the doors of thevehicle; an ignition detector 16 for detecting activation of ignitionwhile the alarm arrangement 12 is armed; a motion detector 17 fordetecting motion in a cabin of the vehicle while the alarm arrangement12 is armed; a low battery detector 18 for detecting when the voltage ofthe vehicle's main battery 19 is below a predetermined level; and amotion detector 20 for detecting movement of the vehicle relative to theground, while the alarm is armed.

The alarm control unit 14 is also, in conventional fashion, connected bysuitable relays to response units for automatically responding todetection of tampering with the vehicle, inter alia to immobilize thevehicle, the response units including fuel pump cut-offs 21, ignitioncut-offs 22, indicator light flashers 23, and an alarm siren 13. Thealarm control unit 14 is powered by the battery 19 of the vehicle, andis grounded, at 24.

The system 10 also includes a remote control unit 125 for locking thevehicle, at 25, or unlocking the vehicle, at 26, as well as for armingthe alarm, at 27, or disarming the alarm, at 28. The remote control unit125 is controlled by a portable remote control 29, which communicateswith the remote control unit 125 via a wireless infra-red signal, inconventional fashion.

The security system 10 includes a mobile telephone 30 (shown in FIGS. 1and 3) which operates on the GSM-standard, the mobile telephone 30 beingpermanently installed in the vehicle. In some cases the mobile telephone30 may be in the form of a retro-fitted kit, and in others installed bya vehicle maker during manufacture. The telephone 30 of the embodimentincludes a mobile telephone device in the form of a mobile telephonecontrol unit 31 which is connected, via a master data bus 32 to thealarm unit 14. In use, when tampering with the vehicle is detected bythe alarm arrangement 12, an alarm signal is sent from the alarm controlunit 14 to the telephone unit 31, via data bus 32.

The telephone unit 31 houses a GSM transceiver module 33 for effectingconnection to a GSM-network (not shown), the module 33 being connectedto an antenna 34 which is mounted on the vehicle. It will be realisedthat transceiver modules for other mobile telephone systems, such asCDMA, GPRS and the like may alternatively be employed.

The telephone unit 31 also provides two SIM-card sockets 36, 38 forremovably receiving GSM subscriber identification modules in the form ofconventional SIM-cards. A user SIM-card 37 is located in SlM-card socket36, and a security SIM-card 39 is located in SIM-card socket 38. Incertain countries, depending on the mobile telephone network operators,the telephone unit 31 will have only one socket for removable receivinga single subscriber identification module that performs the function ofthe user SIM-card 37 and the security SIM-card 39 as is detailed furtherbelow.

The user SIM-card 37 is a so called “twin-all” SIM-card, which meansthat it is one of a pair of SIM-cards which identify the same subscriberaccount when a call is made via a GSM network provided by an associatedmobile telephone network provider (not shown). The other twin-callSlM-card (not shown) of the pair of twin-call SIM-cards is located in amobile telephone (not shown) which is carried on the person of a user(not shown) of the vehicle.

The security SIM-card 39 is associated with a subscriber accountdifferent from the subscriber account with which the twin-call SIM-cardsare associated. Where there is a single SIM-card that performs thefunctions of the security SIM-card and the user SIM-card, the singlecard will have its own unique number that differs from the number of themobile telephone that is carried on the person of the user.

The telephone unit 31 includes a switch 40 for switching connection ofthe GSM transceiver module 33 between the user SIM-card 37 and thesecurity SIM-card 39. In this example, the switch 40 is arranged toconnect the GSM transceiver module 33 to the twin-call SIM-card 37 whenthe ignition of the vehicle is switched on or when the alarm isdisarmed, and to connect the security SIM-card 39 to the GSM transceivermodule 33 in response to switching off of the ignition of the vehicle orarming of the alarm. The telephone unit 31 provides an indicatingarrangement for indicating which of the SIM-cards 37, 39 is connected tothe GSM transceiver module 33, in this case being a pair of indicatinglights 35. Thus, the telephone unit 31 is operable in a telephonecondition, wherein the GSM transceiver module 33 is in connection withthe user SIM-card 37, and in a security condition, in which the GSMtransceiver module 33 is in connection with the security SIM-card 39.

Alternatively, where there is a single SIM-card associated with a singlesubscriber account the switch is arranged to notify a predeterminedterminal of the generation of the alarm signal by the alarm arrangement.This notification is affected via the SIM-card when the ignition of thevehicle is switched off or the alarm is armed and the terminal contactedcould, for example, be the user's mobile telephone (not shown) whereinthe notification could be by way of text message or a voice call. Forreceiving telephone calls in the vehicle the user will divert or forwardhis mobile hand set to the SIM-card in the telephone unit. Should theuser receive a telephone call whilst the mobile telephone device is inthe alarm condition, the mobile telephone device will automaticallyforward the call to the user's voice mailbox of his mobile handset.Again, the telephone unit 31 is operable in a telephone condition,wherein the GSM transceiver module 33 is in connection with the SIM-cardfor making and receiving calls via the mobile telephone network, and ina security condition, in which the GSM transceiver module 33 is arrangedto notify a predetermined terminal of the generation of the alarm signalby the alarm arrangement.

The telephone unit 31 is connected to an auxiliary power supply in theform of a 12V back-up battery 41, for powering the telephone unit 31 andthe alarm control unit 14 in the case of failure of the main battery 19.

The telephone 30 includes a hands-free microphone 42 and a speaker 44for permitting a user to use the telephone 30 in a hands-free manner,when the user is seated in the vehicle, the microphone 42 and speaker 44being connected to the telephone unit 31 via bi-directional amplifier46. The microphone 42 and amplifier 46 is integrated into the dashboardor console (not shown) of the vehicle, so that it is substantiallyhidden from view. Naturally, the speaker 44 may be provided by anexisting conventional speaker system connected to a radio systeminstalled in the vehicle. The kit 30 additionally provides a socket 43for connection of the amplifier 46 to a conventional hands-free headset45. In the usual manner, a vehicle radio mute relay 54 is provided forautomatically muting the radio system of the vehicle when the telephone30 is in operation.

Although not illustrated, the kit 30 can include a private or personalspeaker housed in an ear-piece which is shaped and dimensioned forinsertion into an ear of a driver of the vehicle. This ear-piece ispermanently installed in the vehicle, to form a permanent part of thekit 30. The kit 30 will then include a user operable control forswitching between a general mode in which the vehicle radio speakers areused for sound production, and a personal or private mode in which theradio speakers are muted, and the audio of the telephone 30 is producedexclusively through the ear-piece.

The telephone 30 is also provided with a connection switch in the formof a push button 48, which provides an answer/hang-up function, forpermitting the user to connect the GSM transceiver module 33 to thenetwork in response to the reception of a telephone call via thenetwork, and to disconnect from the network to end the call. This button48 is hidden from view, in this case being located behind a steeringcolumn (not shown) of the vehicle.

A conventional key-pad 50 is connected to the telephone unit 31, forproviding control over the telephone 30 and permitting dial-up by theuser. However, it should be appreciated that this permanently installedkeypad 50 is optional, and if it is desired that the telephone 30 shouldbe substantially hidden from view, this key-pad 50 will be omitted. Topermit control of the telephone unit 31, and to provide a dial-upfacility, when the key-pad 50 is omitted, the telephone 30 includes DTMFtone decoder 52, for decoding audio signals generated by a conventionalmobile telephone in response to pressing of the keys of the mobilephone. The decoder 52 decodes these audio signals and converts them intocommand signals for controlling the telephone unit 31. A cradle (notshown) may be provided for holding the mobile telephone, the cradlebeing located adjacent the microphone 42, so that a user can, in use,place the mobile telephone in the cradle and press the desired keys onthe mobile telephone, the microphone relaying the audio signals to thedecoder 52. The kit 30 thus enables a conventional mobile telephone toserve as a removable key-pad for the telephone 30.

Although not shown in the drawings, the kit 30 can be configured to havea cordless or wireless key-pad which communicates with the control unit31 via wireless infra-red signals, in a manner similar to the operationof remote control devices. This cordless key-pad could be hidden fromview when not in use, for instance being located in a cubby hole of thevehicle, or being located in a recess in the dashboard, the recess beingopenably closed by a closure member in the form of a hingedlydisplaceable flap.

The user-operable peripherals of the telephone 30, such as themicrophone 42, speaker 44, key-pad 50, and connection switch 48 areconnected to the telephone unit via a telephone unit interface 56.

The telephone unit 31 is also in connection with an electronic processorin the form of a central processing unit (CPU) 58 of the vehicle, theCPU being provided, in conventional fashion, with sufficient randomaccess memory (RAM) 60 and an audio module 62. The CPU 58 is programmedto govern the functioning of the alarm arrangement 12, which is alsoconnected to the CPU 58, and the telephone 30.

In use, the telephone 30 functions in a manner similar to a conventionalvehicle telephone system when the user is located in the vehicle. TheGSM transceiver module 33 can connect to the GSM network through theuser SIM card 37, as the other twin call SlM-card in the user's mobiletelephone will not be in use. However, when the vehicle is switched offand the alarm arrangement 12 is armed, the switch 40 automaticallyswitches the GSM transceiver module 33 into connection with the securitySIM-card 39. In the event of an alarm signal being generated by thealarm arrangement 12, the telephone 30 automatically connects to theGSM-network, through the security SIM-card 39, and sends an SMS or voicemessage to the user's mobile telephone, which operates with thetwin-call SIM-card identical to the user SIM-card 37. The SMS messagecontains an alarm message notifying the user of the detection ofunauthorised tampering with the vehicle. The sending of this SMS messageis in addition to the usual responses to tripping of the alarm, such aswailing of the siren, flashing of the vehicle's indicators, andimmobilisation of the vehicle.

The control unit 31 has a user operable mode switch 98 for switching thecontrol unit 31 between a house mode, in which the unit 31 can form partof a security system for a building such as a house, and a vehicle mode,in which the unit 31 is configured to form part of a vehicle securitysystem, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, reference numeral 70 generally indicates afurther embodiment of a security system in accordance with theinvention, the security system 70 being for protection of a building, inthis case a house (not shown). Unless otherwise indicated, likereference numerals indicate like parts in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 4.

The system 70 includes a house alarm system 12 which includes an alarmcontrol unit 14 which is connected to a telephone control unit 31identical to the telephone control unit 31 described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3. The alarm control unit 14 is powered by a mains powersupply 72, although it is also connected to an auxiliary power supply inthe form of a 12V battery of electrochemical cells. The control unit 14is also in connection with a gate opener 74, auxiliary sensors 76 forsensing violation of a perimeter of the house, a light switch 78 forcontrolling outdoor lights (not shown) of the house, and an alarm siren80. Provision is also made for arming, at 82, the alarm arrangement 12,and for disarming, at 84, the alarm arrangement 12.

The alarm arrangement 12 includes a portable remote transmitter 86 whichincludes a panic button 88, the transmitter 86 being arranged totransmit a wireless panic signal in response to pressing of the panicbutton 88. A receiver 90 is responsive to the panic signal to activatethe alarm unit 14 for generation of an alarm signal.

The telephone unit 31 is connected to a wall-mounted interface unit 92which incorporates a microphone 42, speaker 44, and key-pad 50.

In use, the system 70 functions as a telephone, permitting an occupantof the house to make and receive telephone calls via the GSM network,the wall-mounted interface unit 92 providing a hands-free interfacefacility. As before, such conventional telephone calls are routedthrough the user SIM-card 37, which is a twin call SIM-card.

However, when the alarm is triggered, the telephone unit 31automatically makes a call to the user's mobile phone, using thesecurity SIM-card. The system 70 can be configured additionally to makecalls to appropriate emergency response units. A user can carry theremote transmitter 86 on the user's person, so that, in the event of theuser being surprised by an intruder, or in the case of an emergency, theuser can press the panic button 88 to trigger the alarm and causetransmission of the alarm message by the control unit 31.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a vehicle security system 10 asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, like reference numerals againindicating like parts. The system 10 includes a tracking system 94comprising a global positioning system (GPS) antenna 96 and a GPS unit98, the GPS unit 98 being connected to the CPU 58 of the vehicle.

In use, the tracking system 94 continuously tracks the position of thevehicle. When the alarm arrangement 12 generates an alarm signal, and analarm message is sent to the user via the GSM network, the position ofthe vehicle is noted and the alarm message includes information aboutthe location of the vehicle, preferably providing GPS co-ordinates ofthe vehicle's location.

It is an advantage of a security system as described with reference tothe drawings, that it provides for emergency notification of a user onthe mobile telephone of the user. This is not the case with conventionalsecurity systems of this kind, as the twin-call SIM-card in aconventional vehicle telephone system is usually identical to thetwin-call SlM-card in the user's mobile telephone.

It is also an advantage of the vehicle security system of FIGS. 1 to 3that the system is substantially obscured or hidden from view, so thatit is not possible for a potential burglar to establish whether or not aparticular vehicle is fitted with the security system by peering throughwindows of the vehicle. Furthermore, the telephone unit 31 can be usedin a variety of applications, and can be sold as a unit fordo-it-yourself retro-fit installation.

The applicant envisages that the control unit 31 can be used in otherapplications which are not related to security, such as a monitoringapplication in which the telephone control unit 31 is configuredautomatically to alert a user by means of a SMS-message when, forinstance, predetermined values of performance variables of machinerylocated at a remote location are not met.

It will of course be realised that the above embodiments have been givenonly by way of illustrative example of the invention, and that all suchmodifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to personsskilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambitof the invention as is herein set forth in the following claims.

1. A mobile telephone device including: a single transceiver forconnecting the telephone device to a mobile telephone network; and acontroller coupled to the transceiver, the controller operative to placethe mobile telephone device in at least one of: a telephone conditionthereby allowing a user to selectively connect to the mobile telephonenetwork; and in response to receiving an alarm signal, an alarmcondition to connect the transceiver to the mobile telephone network andthereby notify a predetermined terminal of the receipt of the alarmsignal.
 2. A mobile telephone device according to claim 1 wherein thealarm signal is received in response to the detection of unauthorisedactivity in respect of a vehicle in which the mobile telephone device isinstalled.
 3. A mobile telephone device according to claim 2 wherein aswitch is arranged to place the mobile telephone device in the alarmcondition in response to switching off of the vehicle and in thetelephone condition in response to ignition of the vehicle.
 4. A mobiletelephone device according to claim 3 wherein the controller furtherincludes means for diverting incoming communications received when thetelephone device is in the alarm condition, to an answering service. 5.A mobile telephone device according to claim 2 wherein the mobiletelephone device forms part of a mobile telephone for installation inthe vehicle.
 6. A mobile telephone according to claim 5 wherein themobile telephone in the vehicle is substantially hidden from view.
 7. Amobile telephone according to claim 5 further including a keypad that isoperable between a hidden condition in which the keypad is hidden fromview, and an operative position, in which the key pad is visible and isreadily accessible to a driver of the vehicle.
 8. A mobile telephoneaccording to claim 5 further including a disconnectably connectableheadset comprising a microphone-and-speaker system.
 9. A mobiletelephone according to claim 5 further including a speaker in the formof an ear-piece for location in an ear of a driver of the vehicle.
 10. Amobile telephone according to claim 5 further including a dialup systemfor permitting a user to control the mobile telephone device by use of amobile telephone handset, and to connect the handset to the mobiletelephone network.
 11. A mobile telephone according to claim 10 whereinthe dial-up system includes a device for receiving audio signals fromthe handset, the audio signals being generated in response to thepressing of keys on a keypad of the handset, and for converting theaudio signals to electronic command signals for the mobile telephone.12. A mobile telephone according to claim 11 wherein the conversion ofthe audio signals is in accordance with standard protocols such as DTMF.13. A mobile telephone according to claim 5 further including a cordlesskeypad for interfacing with the controller of the mobile telephonedevice via wireless communication signals, such as infra-redcommunication signals.
 14. A mobile telephone device according to claim1 wherein the transceiver includes means for providing a position signalindicative of the geographical position of the mobile telephone device.15. A mobile telephone device according to claim 1 wherein thepredetermined terminal is the user's mobile telephone.
 16. A mobiletelephone device according to claim 1 wherein the notification of thealarm signal is by way of a text message.
 17. A mobile telephone deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the notification is a voice call.
 18. Amobile telephone device including: a single transceiver for connectingthe telephone device to a mobile telephone; and a controller coupled tothe transceiver, the controller operative to place the mobile telephonedevice in at least one of: a telephone condition thereby allowing a userto selectively connect to the mobile telephone network; and in responseto receiving an alarm signal, an alarm condition to connect thetransceiver to the mobile telephone network, the controller having asecurity subscriber identification module for use in connection to themobile telephone network when the mobile telephone device is in thealarm condition and a user subscriber identification module for use inconnection to the mobile telephone network when the mobile telephonedevice is in the telephone condition.
 19. A mobile telephone deviceaccording to claim 18 wherein the user subscriber identification moduleis one of a pair of subscriber identification modules both of whichidentify the same account with said account being a different accountfrom that identified by the security subscriber identification module.20. A mobile telephone device according to claim 19 wherein the user'smobile telephone operates with a twin-call SIM-card identifying the sameaccount as the user SIM-card in the mobile telephone device.
 21. Amobile telephone device according to claim 18 wherein the securitysubscriber identification module and the user subscriber identificationmodule are SIM-cards.
 22. A mobile telephone device according to claim18 wherein the alarm signal is received in response to the detection ofunauthorised activity in respect of a vehicle in which the mobiletelephone device is installed.
 23. A mobile telephone device accordingto claim 22 further including a switch arranged to place the mobiletelephone device in the alarm condition by connecting the transceiver tothe security SIM-card in response to switching off of the vehicle and inthe telephone condition by connecting the transceiver to the userSIM-card in response to ignition of the vehicle.
 24. A mobile telephonedevice according to claim 18 wherein the controller sends an alarmmessage to a predetermined terminal in response to receiving the alarmsignal.
 25. A mobile telephone device according to claim 24 wherein thealarm message is a text message.
 26. A mobile telephone device accordingto claim 24 wherein the alarm message is a voice call.
 27. A mobiletelephone device according to claim 18 wherein the transceiver includesmeans for providing a position signal indicative of the geographicalposition of the mobile telephone device.
 28. A mobile telephone deviceaccording to claim 22 wherein the mobile telephone device forms part ofa mobile telephone for installation in the vehicle.
 29. A mobiletelephone according to claim 28 wherein the mobile telephone in thevehicle is substantially hidden from view.
 30. A mobile telephoneaccording to claim 29 further including a keypad that is operablebetween a hidden condition in which the keypad is hidden from view, andan operative position, in which the key pad is visible and is readilyaccessible to a driver of the vehicle.
 31. A mobile telephone accordingto claim 30 further including a disconnectably connectable headsetcomprising a microphone-and-speaker system.
 32. A mobile telephoneaccording to claim 31 further including a speaker in the form of anear-piece for location in an ear of a driver of the vehicle.
 33. Amobile telephone according to claim 32 further including a dial-upsystem for permitting a user to control the telephone control unit byuse of a mobile telephone handset, and to connect the mobile telephoneto the telephone network.
 34. A mobile telephone according to claim 33wherein the dial-up system includes a device for receiving audio signalsfrom a mobile telephone handset, the audio signals being generated inresponse to the pressing of keys on a keypad of the mobile telephonehandset, and for converting the audio signals to electronic commandsignals for the mobile telephone.
 36. A mobile telephone according toclaim 34 wherein the conversion of the audio signals is in accordancewith standard protocols such as DTMF.
 36. A mobile telephone accordingto claim 28 further including a cordless keypad for interfacing with thecontrol unit of the mobile telephone via wireless communication signals,such as infra-red communication signals.
 37. A monitoring applicationincluding a mobile telephone device according to claim 1 wherein thealarm signal is received by the mobile telephone device when apredetermined value of a performance variable relating a process locatedat a remote location is not met.
 38. A security system for protection ofan area, the system including: an alarm arrangement for detectingunauthorised activity in respect of the protected area and forgenerating an alarm signal in response to detection of the unauthorisedactivity; and a mobile telephone device connected to the alarmarrangement, the mobile telephone device being operable in an alarmcondition to connect to a mobile telephone network and notify apredetermined terminal of the generation of the alarm signal and in atelephone condition to allow a user to connect to the mobile telephonenetwork.